BrianAndPamela.com

Didn't see the comet at night recently?  Try during the day. 

Comet McNaught (see our original story here) is so bright now as it passes through perihelion — that is to say closest to the sun — that observers around the world are reporting that it is visible during the day time.  according to SpaceWeather.com:

 Solar heat is causing the comet to vaporize furiously and brighten to daylight visibility. At magnitude -4 to -5, McNaught is the brightest comet since Ikeya-Seki in 1965.

To find the comet, you need to shield yourself from the sun by standing in the shadow of a building, then hold your fist at arms length.  The comet is 5 degrees east of the sun and your fist is about five degrees wide.  The standard warnings apply about not looking into the sun, you'll go blind and then how would you read this wonderful blog?

Full story at SpaceWeather.com you might need to check the archives for Jan 13th.

One of the things that differentiates many Web 2.0 sites from the "old guard" companies is their logos.  Rounder, softer, shinier, these are the marks of a Web 2.0 logo.  So here's an image that wonders, "What if the same design principles were used for logos we're all familiar with from the non-web world?"

Link to image

I especially like AT&T (subtle enhancements), The USA, 3M (mmm!), Quaker (awesome!), and UPS (beta! rofl) 

Link to Otaku, Cedric’s weblog: Advice if your checks ever get stolen: don’t tell your bank

Wow… so you need to read the linked story.  The executive summary is essentially that this guy got his checks stolen.  When he called his bank (Wells Fargo) they told him his only option was to cancel his entire account and open a new one, AFTER a bit of a run-around.  Essentially, he’s more protected from fraudulent activity if he DOESN’T report the stolen checks.

"Alright, cowboy.  I'll see your hundred and raise you the deed to the old gold mine in the hills."  GASP! 

It seems like every time you see poker in the movies you hear a line like that.  I think there was even one in the recent re-envisioned "Casino Royale" Bond movie.  The problem is it's a bunch of hooey.  It's called a "string raise" and it's against the rules… (more…)

Everyone has some topic in their life where they can carry on both sides of the conversation.  It's that thing where someone finds out something about you and then the next five minutes of conversation follows pretty much the same path every single time.

For me, that conversation usually happens when people find out that Pamela homeschools our kids.  At some point, the same question always comes up.  Oh they phrase it differently sometimes, "How do you account for socialization?" or "Are you concerned about what they are missing?" or other less direct phrases.  What they are really asking is, "Aren't you concerned your kids are going to turn out to be socially inept freaks who have no clue about the real world?"  At which point I feel like shouting, "Have you seen public schools these days?  Aren't you worried that the kids there are going to turn into materialistic under-educated peer mentality zombies?"  But most of the time I just smile and say, "Not at all." 

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Somethings should write themselves.  They are so easy to talk about, to explain in person but getting them to make sense on the screen is different entirely.  My feelings on the iPhone should have been like that.  I wanted to love it.  I love my iPod, so what's not to like about the wide screen, wi-fi, touch controlled iPod I've been craving mixed with a cell phone?  Well, I'll tell you…

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Link to Apple says Cisco lawsuit is "silly" - Engadget

Apple to Cisco:  "You wanna piece of this???  Come get some, sucka!" 

While I finish mind mapping and writing my response to Apple's announcement of the iPhone on Tuesday, here's a little something to tide you over.  Cisco launches the Linksys "iPhone", a VoIP product–surprising everyone, since iXxxxx has essentially been the domain of Apple Inc (née Computer) for a while now.  Then Apple releases the iPhone, a combo cell phone/iPod (that slices and dices and makes cotton candy).  Cisco sues Apple for trademark infringement.  Today, Apple responded with, "Bring it."  Must be nice to be so arrogant and have no one call you on it.

 I’m still digesting and planning what to publically say about the iPhone which Apple announced yesterday.  But to hold you til then, I found this graph on digg.  Essentially it shows Apple stock climbing about 8.5% while Palm and RIM (Makers of Treos and Blackberries) fall.  Interestingly Nokia and Motorolla only fell slightly.  I’d also like to see graphs of Cingular (the announced carrier for the iPhone) against T-Mobile and Verizon over the same period.

Original story at Infectious Greed.

from http://spaceweather.com

Look, up in the sky!  It's a … why it's a comet!  And it's now the brightest comet in 30 years.  Tonight (Jan 10) is a great night to check it out, it should even be visible to the naked eye.  From the SpaceWeather.com email newsletter:

Comet McNaught has continued to brighten as it approaches the sun and it is now the brightest comet in 30 years. For observers in the northern Hemisphere, tonight is probably the best time to see it: Go outside this evening and face the sunset. A clear view of the western horizon is essential, because the comet hangs very low. As the twilight fades to black, it should become visible to the naked eye. Observers say it's a fantastic sight through binoculars.

In the days ahead, Comet McNaught will pass the sun and emerge in good position for southern hemisphere viewing later this month. Meanwhile, solar heating will continue to puff up the comet, causing it to brighten even more. It could become one of the brightest comets in centuries, visible even in daylit skies.

Picture courtesy www.spaceweather.com.

San Francisco. Anticipation gave way to temporary panic today when Steve Jobs unveiled the latest consumer electronics innovation from Apple Computer, the iMac 10, at Apple's Mac World Expo in San Francisco. The first public demonstration of the machine pistol left six conference goers with minor injuries.

Jobs was coming to the close of his record breaking seventeen hour key-note address and even stalwart Apple fans were beginning to feel mochachino withdrawals. Many had already removed their characteristic hoodies which they were wearing over t-shirts with snide, hipster sayings. Jobs thanked the attendees then paused for a moment. (more…)